NOS.com: Vitt Says Linebackers Group is "The Deepest I Have Been Around"

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Vitt Says Linebackers Group is "The Deepest I Have Been Around"

this is a discussion within the Saints Community Forum; Given the addition of the three middle linebackers, how much do you anticipate the competition level rising?
Thatís what itís all about, and itís there, itís on.
Where do guys like Scott Shanle stand?
Scott Shanle has had an outstanding ...

Given the addition of the three middle linebackers, how much do you anticipate the competition level rising?

Thatís what itís all about, and itís there, itís on.

Where do guys like Scott Shanle stand?

Scott Shanle has had an outstanding camp. Scott has started at the Sam position for us this spring. I think Scott is one of those guys, one of those rare breeds. Iíve been with him since í06, and you have not seen any diminishing skill level. He still has the footwork and the fluid hips. One of his real high qualities that he has is his man coverage skills. Heís come into camp in great shape, so he has done a great job.

Is it safe to say that this is the best group of linebackers that you have had since youíve been here?

Iíll tell you, itís probably the deepest group Iíve ever been around. I would say that linebackers 1-7 or 1-8 could start for a lot of teams in the National Football League, and thatís a compliment to the group.

What have you seen from Curtis Lofton that maybe shocked or surprised you?

Number one, heís lost some weight and body fat. His ability to change direction in space, his ability to drop his weight and burst on the ball, and then his angles to the ball and his closing speed have been shocking to me. Theyíve been shocking to his teammates too. We know what weíve got; weíve got a thumper. Weíve got a guy who loves the contact, heís a downhill linebacker. To watch his athleticism in space, his ability to flip his hips and burst, has really been a nice addition.

All the criticism Lofton received while playing with the Falcons about being just a 2 down thumper, you know he's going to be playing with a chip on his shoulder. I'm glad we get to play the Falcons twice a year.

"I think Scott is one of those guys, one of those rare breeds. I’ve been with him since ’06, and you have not seen any diminishing skill level. He still has the footwork and the fluid hips. One of his real high qualities that he has is his man coverage skills."

Are you freakin kidding me?????? He must be slipping the coach's hallucinagins or something. This dude is like a cockaroach..they just don't die.

All the criticism Lofton received while playing with the Falcons about being just a 2 down thumper, you know he's going to be playing with a chip on his shoulder. I'm glad we get to play the Falcons twice a year.

Its funny, before he left he was a priority player to resign, after he signed with us he was merely a two down LB who sucks in coverage.

"I think Scott is one of those guys, one of those rare breeds. Iíve been with him since í06, and you have not seen any diminishing skill level. He still has the footwork and the fluid hips. One of his real high qualities that he has is his man coverage skills."

Are you freakin kidding me?????? He must be slipping the coach's hallucinagins or something. This dude is like a cockaroach..they just don't die.

Mike, you just shot down all my excitement about Lofton. If he's that impressed with Shanle then the Lofton accolades are meaningless.

If Shanle starts, our linebackers still suck. At least its deep with sucky LB's.